Those of you who know me know that I am passionate about these two things: my absolute hate of running and my passion for women in technology. That is why I am incredibly excited to announce that during the month of October, I have joined “If Girls Ran the World” to benefit Girls in Tech with a goal of raising $250 and running 50 miles (which is more miles than I have probably ever run in my life so…help…).
Girls in Tech (GIT) is a global non-profit focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of girls and women who are passionate about technology. Today, GIT aims to accelerate the growth of innovative women entering into the high-tech industry and building startups. [They] achieve this through the creation of proprietary, innovative programming and strategic global partnerships.
But you hate running? Why are you doing this?
So why have I done this? Why am I so passionate about women in technology? Why put myself through a month of doing something I hate (running) if there is no benefit to me? The answer is, this IS benefitting me because this is benefitting all women in technology. As a woman in technology, I advocate and push for more equality in the field. I emphasize the importance of creating a more diverse work place and classroom. I dream of a day when women will be able to sit in a computer class that is not incredibly skewed in the number of males vs females. I want to stop hearing things like “Well you will have a really easy time finding a job in the technology field because you are a woman and they NEED women” and “Wow, that is so impressive that you are studying computer science. I don’t know any other woman who do that”.
Me at Code for Good, a hackathon hosted by JP Morgan Chase & Co. Photo credit to JPMC.
It may only be $250 (and hopefully more!) and I may end the month hating running even more than I already do, but at least with every mile, I will know that I am encouraging a cause that benefits women who are pursuing a field so dear to me.
How You Can Help Women in Technology
So how can you help? Monetary donations are much appreciated. You can see my fundraising page here. I also always welcome running tips (again, I am a newbie) or good workout playlists! Even comments of encouragement that I can read when I am struggling through each of the 50 miles would be great ;).
I will keep you posted and who knows–maybe by the end of the month I will have found a new hobby.
